Flat Lay Photos: Pictures of Flatlays

Flatlay photography is an easy and creative way to showcase groups of products, give a stunning snapshot of a work space, or just showcase thematic elements in an aesthetically rich way.

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flatlay with dumplings and chopsticks against a red background

Flatlay With Dumplings And Chopsticks Against A Red Background


wooden toothbrushes in a row against a green background

Wooden Toothbrushes In A Row Against A Green Background


flatlay of fruit and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Flatlay Of Fruit And Vegetables On A Wooden Cutting Board


flatlay of a valentines day card with foil chocolate hearts

Flatlay Of A Valentines Day Card With Foil Chocolate Hearts


a round white plate full of strawberries

A Round White Plate Full Of Strawberries


french fries on yellow

French Fries On Yellow


flatlay of tortoise shell sunglasses on white

Flatlay Of Tortoise Shell Sunglasses On White


flat lay of bars of soap in green holders

Flat Lay Of Bars Of Soap In Green Holders


sliced watermelon and ripe cherries

Sliced Watermelon And Ripe Cherries


flatlay of embroidery coffee and dried flowers

Flatlay Of Embroidery Coffee And Dried Flowers


a sliced bell pepper surrounded by other cooking items

A Sliced Bell Pepper Surrounded By Other Cooking Items


travel plans are the best plans

Travel Plans Are The Best Plans


flatlay of cheese mushroom and bacon pizza

Flatlay of Cheese Mushroom And Bacon Pizza


letter board with the words merry christmas

Letter Board With The Words Merry Christmas


artist works on a floral mosaic with white glue

Artist Works On A Floral Mosaic With White Glue


small hands cut a block of grey clay on messy table

Small Hands Cut A Block Of Grey Clay On Messy Table


hot pizza from the box

Hot Pizza From The Box


white blocks spell save the planet on blue background

White Blocks Spell Save The Planet On Blue Background


close up of cheesy pizza slices

Close Up of Cheesy Pizza Slices


books bound together with twine on a white cloth

Books Bound Together With Twine On A White Cloth


rounds of raw meat on butcher paper

Rounds Of Raw Meat On Butcher Paper


spoon lays in the middle of oats

Spoon Lays In The Middle Of Oats


tortoise shell sunglass frames on a white surface

Tortoise Shell Sunglass Frames On A White Surface


hand uses tweezers to add to a mosaic

Hand Uses Tweezers To Add To A Mosaic


flat lay of hands typing on a keyboard

Flat Lay Of Hands Typing On A Keyboard


camera looks down at a glass jar filled with red sauce

Camera Looks Down At A Glass Jar Filled With Red Sauce


hands work on a glass mosaic to left side of frame

Hands Work On A Glass Mosaic To Left Side Of Frame


flatlay of orange beverage with lime and orange garnish

Flatlay Of Orange Beverage With Lime And Orange Garnish


carrot gradient flatlay

Carrot Gradient Flatlay


white blocks laying in colorful dots spells out smile

White Blocks Laying In Colorful Dots Spells Out Smile


person sits outdoors and works on a floral glass mosaic

Person Sits Outdoors And Works On A Floral Glass Mosaic


flatlay of sliced watermelon a knife and cherries

Flatlay Of Sliced Watermelon A Knife And Cherries


childs hand holds a block of pottery clay

Childs Hand Holds A Block Of Pottery Clay


hands cup ripe red strawberries on black background

Hands Cup Ripe Red Strawberries On Black Background


flatlay of boxes surrounding table

Flatlay Of Boxes Surrounding Table


two pieces of biscotti next to a cup of coffee

Two Pieces Of Biscotti Next To A Cup Of Coffee


portobello mushroom and onion

Portobello Mushroom And Onion


chalkboard with the words healthy in cursive lays on fruit

Chalkboard With The Words Healthy In Cursive Lays On Fruit


cell phone screen displaying graphs and numbers

Cell Phone Screen Displaying Graphs And Numbers


hand reaches for a book next to sunglasses and a bag

Hand Reaches For A Book Next To Sunglasses And A Bag


white work bench with a person adding to a mosaic

White Work Bench With A Person Adding To A Mosaic


top view of dried flowers and gold paper clips

Top View Of Dried Flowers And Gold Paper Clips


bruschetta with balsamic on pan

Bruschetta With Balsamic On Pan


halloween candy bowl

Halloween Candy Bowl


two plates on a linen tablecloth with summer fruit

Two Plates On A Linen Tablecloth With Summer Fruit


school is starting crayons

School Is Starting Crayons


silver fishing lure

Silver Fishing Lure


pink blanket with lavender bundle

Pink Blanket With Lavender Bundle


wooden block spell out smile laying on colorful dots

Wooden Block Spell Out Smile Laying On Colorful Dots


sliced watermelon fanned out on a white plate

Sliced Watermelon Fanned Out On A White Plate


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Tips for Your own flatlay photography

What makes this type of photography so popular is not just the look of the photography style, but that it’s relatively easy to do. Generally you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take a great flatlay image - an iPhone camera and good lighting will do!

Feel free to browse our database of flatlay images or check our tips below for creating your own beautiful pictures.

Shoot for a single color palette

Generally speaking - it’s best to select a colour pallette of about 2-3 unifying colours and work around those colors with varying patterns and textures. Having a predetermined pallette will help to unify the composition of the image and direct the mood of the piece. For example - object in navy blue and deep red will usually give the image a more somber feel to it whereas bright pinks and purples will make the image a bit more playful.

You’ll also want to make sure you use a neutral background colour as well. Most flatlay pictures use a white background, but feel free to experiment with black, grey or more muted wood tones as well. A neutral background colour will make the foreground items stand-out, complimenting the items and focusing your audience's attention towards your subjects.

Let the composition of your pictures tell a story

It’s important to consider the concept of narrative in composing flat-lay photographs. You may want to think of a “theme” before you begin and then select objects that work around this theme. For example - if your theme is “Cluttered Office” - you might choose to use objects like pens, notebooks and coffee cups. If your theme is “Brunch Time” - you might include items like toasted bagels and sparkling mimosas. Let your image tell a story through objects surrounding a common theme.

Experiment with Space and Lighting

Not all flatlay images are built the same. For some - a cluttered workspace might convey a sense of chaos to the audience while a more sparse use of objects with more negative space might give the viewer a sense of calming isolation.

With regards to lighting - it’s generally best to use calm, overhead lighting. You don’t want your lights to be too bright however, as this can wash-out some of the beauty of your colours and create jarring, odd shadows.

Natural light works best as well - especially in the morning when the sun has risen but is not yet in full force. If you’re looking for a more neutral, balanced lighting design, try going out on a day that’s a little bit cloudy to get a soft-light effect.